The Influence of Economics Education in School on Future Entrepreneurial Behavior

Andranik Tumasjan, Lukas Mergele, Ines Rueter, Larissa Zierow and Ismail Ismail

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2025, vol. 49, issue 5, 1329-1356

Abstract: Whereas much research has focused on the predictors of entrepreneurial behavior during adulthood, we know little about how preadulthood experiences influence entrepreneurial behavior later in life. Grounded in imprinting theory, this study examines whether introducing economics classes in school enhances students’ entrepreneurial behavior in adulthood. Using a difference-in-differences approach exploiting curriculum reforms in Germany, we find that participating in economics classes increases students’ later entrepreneurial activities by four percentage points. We also investigate the underlying mechanism and find that the impact on entrepreneurial behavior is driven by individual-centered rather than market-centered economics curricula.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; self-employment; economics education; imprinting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:entthe:v:49:y:2025:i:5:p:1329-1356

DOI: 10.1177/10422587251328602

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